Zeebrugge ferry disaster song

Believe it or not, but I started writing this song in 1987 and finished it in 2008. When she finally appeared on the Monday, she explained that she had been ill over the weekend. I now work on the Condor Ferries Poole - Cherbourg/St.

The first line of the song was written in 1987, as was the melody. Kate Bush appeared on March 16, 1987 to sing her part. She was the first artist to have the studio cleared, and also the first to refuse all interview requests, saying “It’s for the cause – It’s not what I’ve got to say.”

References

• Ferry Aid.

  Wikipedia, retrieved 10 November 2014.

• ‘Ferry Aid’. Why it took 21 years I don't know...It came about following the Zeebrugge ferry disaster in March 1987.
  
  I feel I've encapsulated the story of the disaster and at the same time, making a decent enough melody. The rest came last year, when I started working on ferry boats for the first time, at Wightlink and my memory was jogged and I felt I could give this song some meaning.

  It really interested me, as did many tragedies during the 1980s, particularly those happening around me (Enniskillen bombing, Downpatrick UDR soldiers murder) and this one was the fault of "party time" ferry company (as far as the media and UK public were concerned) Townsend Thoresen. Rest in peace all those innocent victims.
  
  Written - in Bangor in 1987, and on Wightlink boat Cenred in 2008.
  
  Lyrics -
  
  The herald the herald of free enterprise
  In March 87 we saw it capsize
  The heavens the heavens are weighing me down
  The port of Zeebrugge this unknown town
  
  The assistant bosun didn't close the bow doors
  But "we're so happy to welcome you onboard"
  
  I want to know what's happening in the world
  A flushing range of failures a disease of sloppiness
  
  The herald the herald of free enterprise
  On the wings of an angel a devil looks down
  A token a token for a cheap winter break
  A drop in the ocean we've money to make
  
  The assistant bosun didn't close the bow doors
  But "we're so happy to welcome you onboard"
  
  I want to know what's happening in the world
  A flushing range of failures a disease of sloppiness
  
  Its ironic that the ships' name the herald of
  Free enterprise sank because the company put
  Pursuit of money ahead of passenger safety
  
  The assistant bosun didn't close the bow doors
  
  Acoustic sofa version, bournemouth, august 2008:
  

On 6 March 1987, the ferry Herald of Free Enterprise, leaving Zeebrugge port in Belgium, overturned, killing nearly 200 people.

There had been some confusion about whether she would be there for the recording or not. The performers of the chosen song, Let it be, were (in order of appearance):

Paul McCartney

Boy George

Keren Woodward

Nick Kamen

Paul King

Mark King (Level 42)

Jaki Graham

Taffy

Mark Knopfler (guitar solo)

Andy Bell

Pepsi & Shirlie

Mel & Kim

Gary Moore (guitar solo)

Kim Wilde

Nik Kershaw

Edwin Starr

Ben Volpierre-Pierrot (Curiosity Killed The Cat)

Ruby Turner

Kate Bush

The closing choruses of the song feature an ensemble choir featuring many of the above performers as well other recording artists.

That night I remember being glued to the BBC News and couldn't quite believe the scenes, people dying from hypothermia in freezing winter water off the coast of Belgium/Netherlands. The back-up chorus consisted of: The Alarm, John Altman, Debee Ashby, Al Ashton, Rick Astley, Bananarama, Simon Bates, Alison Bettles, Jenny Blythe, Errol Brown, Miquel Brown, Bucks Fizz, Jay Carly, The Christians, Nick Conway, Linda Davidson, Hazell Dean, Anne Diamond, Difford and Tilbrook, Doctor and the Medics, The Drifters, Drum Theatre, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Roy Gayle, Go West, Carol Hitchcock, Felix Howard, Gloria Hunniford, Imagination, Jenny Jay, Ellie Laine, Annabel Lamb, Stephanie Lawrence, Loose Ends, Linda Lusardi, Ruth Madoc, Bobby McVey, Suzanne Mizzi, The New Seekers, Sadie Nine, The Nolans, Hazel O'Connor, Mike Osman, Su Pollard, Tim Polley, Pamela Power, Maxi Priest, Princess, Jimmy Pursey, Suzi Quatro, Mike Read, Sally Sagoe, Nejdet Salih, Ray Shell, Mandy Smith, Neville Stapleton, Alvin Stardust, Steve Strange, Sylvia Tella, Terraplane, Bonnie Tyler, Maria Whittaker and Working Week.